Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-09-27
BENEFITS CONFESSION,
Blacxfoos Reporter.

Biackfoot Reporter.
1t was pretty well understood las
week that young Bennett the Pacific
Express messenger, had weakened
and made a full confession Of hi.
share in the $4,000 robbery on the
O. S. L. which occurred short time
ago. II was also stated that he had
implicated Others in his confession
and sensation would shortly be Gre
ated. The Reporter has been to
some pains to trace these rumors
down and the result has been to prove
Bennett not only thief but liar be-
sides, and thoroughly irresponsible.
AL that can be learned OF this now
famous case. we publish below.
The facts Of the robbery and Ben
nets earnest protestations Of inno-
cence are already widely known.
The implication Of others therein is
wholly ; fabrication on Benefits
part. The real truth is this:
Conductor Rich, upon whose train
the robbery occurred, Glanced to see
the 10000 package in the express
car after the train had left Granger
and called Benefits attention to il.
This circumstance alone knocks out
Benefits story that the man from
whom he received the package prob
ably took IL right under his nose. As
soon Is the conductor learned Of the
robbery he naturally had shrewd
idea who bad taken the money, and
determined to test his suspicious, not
only in the interests OF Justice, but
also for his own credit and that OF his
train. He therefore laid a trap for
Bennett, which he fell into with CON-
mendable promptness. He invited
him TO his house in Pocatello and
took him into . room to all appear
ances entirely vacant. Rich had,
however, concealed witness in the
room for the express purpose Of lis
tening to the interview. Here he
proceeded to pump Bennett and
make him commit himself, which
Bennett for long time refused to do
Finally Rich told him that he had
seen the money in his possession
that no one else could have handled
L. and that II was clear case against
him II he (Rich) chose to speak. He
then demanded a full share Of the
spoils as tho price of his silence
Bennett now dropped the mask, ad
mitted the stealing and gave Rich al
accurate map Of the spot where tn
money was buried near Huntington
Rich was TO have half of it for keep
ing his mouth shut. On his mex
trip Rich visited the spot mapped out
and unearthed tin can which con
tanned $4,000 of the $4,000 missing
The remaining $4,000 was not found
nor has it been found since. Thi
money Rich turned over to the es
press company at Pocatelio, and
has been in their possession for som
time, although kept as quiet as pos
sible.
Now comes Bennett with his tard
confession. He was told by Count
Commissioner J. NJ. Bennett, who, b
the way, is not relative, that fu
confession might have an inAuenc
with Judge Hays and secure a lighte
sentence, as this was his FIRST offens,
Thus Piled, the young man mad
what be said was q full confession
upon the promise OF the Commission
or that the latter would see ths
bonds were furnished his brothe
who is also in Jail awaiting trial. II
admitted taking the money and az
counted for the fact that the can a
ready found contained but $4,000 b
saying that he could not cram in an
more bills and was forced to bury Ii
rest elsewhere. He took $50 frol
the latter cache, thus leaving sl95'
Reaching Huntington, he BEGAN
afraid of arrest and that so niue
money on bis person might dire'
suspicion. He then threw $40 dow
in the water closet, retaining but 81
He stated that he knew exactly wber
the 1880 was buried and would ut
earth it If allowed. He also affirme
that the conductor was in with bin
on the robbery and was equally guilt,
Except the latter, his story is proba
bly, truthful. 1t certainly looks plaus
BILE and Sheriff Taylor concluded I
take Bennett TO Huntington, Whe
there Bennett failed to lead the off
Ger TO the cache, affirming that he ha
fororoftan the await s.sxa hr,,ah IT.;